Page 19 of Teasing a King

“Thanks,” I say, following her back downstairs. “Does that mean you want to live here?”

She turns back to me with a smile when she reaches the first-floor landing. “It means I’m thinking about it,” she says. She looks thoughtful as she wanders through the rooms again. I keep quiet as I follow her, letting her think.

“We’d need to set up rules,” she says. “And expectations.”

I nod, though she’s not looking at me. “What sort of rules and expectations?”

She turns to me, leaning against the back of the couch. “For starters, we need to figure out how long I’m going to live here. I want to pay my share of the bills, too. Like any other roommate.”

I want to argue that she wouldn’t be like any other roommate. She’s carrying my child. She’s family. But before I can speak, she holds out a hand to stop me.

“You said you wanted us to be equal. This is part of that.”

I close my mouth, unable to argue the validity of her statement. I dip my head once. “Go on.”

“And we need to talk about logistics,” Mya says. “What happens if you meet someone and decide to bring her home?”

I shake my head immediately. “Not happening,” I say.

She rolls her eyes. “You’re not going to become a monk,” she says dismissively. “I don’t want to keep you from living your life.”

I roll my eyes. “I’ve never been a monk,” I say. “But I don’t bring random women home.”

She gives me a pointed look and gestures to herself. “Ahem?”

I don’t laugh, though I can see the amusement in her eyes. I don’t want there to be any question that I’m serious when I speak. “I can count on one finger the number of one-night stands I’ve had in my life, Mya.” I hesitate before saying the rest. It’s not something most men would be excited to admit. But I want her to know who I am.

“I can count the number of women I’ve slept with on one hand,” I say. “So, no. You don’t need to worry about me bringing strange women home.”

I can tell she’s taken aback by my statement, but she just nods. “Okay,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. She clears her throat and looks away from me before speaking again. “And you definitely don’t have to worry about me bringing home anyone. I think my days of luring guys away from weddings are over.”

I give her a teasing smile. “You mean I wasn’t your first?”

Her gaze shoots to mine and I see the shock written there. She sputters, floundering for words and I panic. I wave a hand, feeling my face heat.

“I didn’t mean that,” I say quickly. “It was supposed to be a joke, but it came out wrong. Ignore me.”

Mya’s eyes narrow. “You’re cute when you’re flustered,” she says, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Just so you know, yes. You were my first and only one-night stand.”

I don’t know how to respond, so I just nod. I hadn’t really been asking. I don’t know why I’d said it. My mouth had spoken before my brain had had a chance to get control of it. But I’m not sorry. I like knowing that I’d been the guy she’d chosen. Even if she’d chosen me specifically for a one-time hookup. I don’t know what that says about me, but I’m choosing to ignore self-reflection right now and just go with it. I bring the subject back around to the matter at hand.

“If we get all the details ironed out to our liking,” I say. “Will you move in with me?”

Mya takes a deep breath and looks around the room once more before turning back to me. “Yes,” she says simply.

The sense of relief nearly knocks me off my feet. Followed closely behind it is a swell of happiness that I refuse to think too much about. Whatever concessions Mya asks for, I’ll be happy to give her. If it means she and the baby will be here, under the same roof with me, I’ll make it happen. My smile stretches wide across my face.

“I think we should make a list,” she says, interrupting my thoughts. “Each of us. Make a list of what we want out of this arrangement and anything we don’t want. Deal breakers. That sort of thing. Then we can sit down and talk over our lists. Come to an agreement.”

I nod. “That sounds logical and mature,” I say. “I work the opening shift tomorrow. Do you want to have dinner with me? We can discuss everything then?”

She hesitates before nodding. It’s only for a split second, but I’d noticed it. “That sounds good,” she says, not meeting my gaze. “What time?”

“Six o’clock okay?” I ask, wondering at the sudden change in her demeanor.

“It’s perfect,” she says, heading toward the front door.

I follow behind her. “I can pick you up,” I offer.

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